Song: Good Life

Jennifer, writes:
Cindy, yesterday we found what turned out to be Cocaine in my daughter Sarah’s room. Now that I think of it, Sarah is suddenly very argumentative, barely sleeps, and is very anti-social. You should also know that her father and I separated 6 months ago, approximately when the changes occurred. What can I do?

Cindy, writes:
Jennifer, it is clear that Sarah is having a difficult time with acclimating to the separation. She is acting out and avoiding her feelings by using Cocaine. The best course of action is a residential treatment program. Sarah’s Cocaine use be addressed through individual, group, and family therapy. Hang on, it only gets better from here.

Sarah, writes:
Cindy, our son completed rehab 3 months ago and had 4 months sober. Yesterday he relapsed after his girlfriend broke up with him. Is relapse common?

Cindy, writes:
Getting a teen to stop using alcohol is only the first step. Alcohol use fills an emotional need. That need has to be satisfied in a healthy way for your teen to be able to stop drinking. Relapsing after treatment is common. It's not considered a treatment failure. Most relapses occur within the first 3 months after treatment. Most often, teens need to go through treatment more than once and follow a long recovery process.